Feeling overwhelmed by clutter but not sure where to start? This 31-day decluttering challenge is designed to ease you into the process, focusing on one area of your home each week with manageable, 5-day a week tasks. It’s not about decluttering your entire home in a month—it’s about building momentum and creating lasting habits that will help you on your journey to a more peaceful, organized space. Since it’s just 5 days a week, you can easily work it around your busy schedule or use the weekends to relax and recharge.

By dedicating just 15–30 minutes a day, five days a week, you’ll begin to see progress and create healthy habits. Let’s get started! Will you join me on this journey? 

How the Challenge Works

For each of the four weeks, you’ll focus on a specific area of your home: the kitchen, living room, master bedroom and bathroom. Each weekday, you’ll tackle a targeted task in that area, making steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.

To make it even easier, you can download the free printable 31-day declutter checklist below to follow along. Use it to track your progress, and refer back to this post for additional tips and details for each area.

Feel free to customize the challenge to fit your needs! You can rearrange the order of the rooms to tackle the spaces that make the most sense for you. Some people find it helpful to start with the easiest room first, as it can build confidence and momentum for tackling more challenging spaces later.

With this flexible approach, you can make the challenge work for your schedule and your home!

The M.E.T.H.O.D. Process 

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just takes a solid plan! That’s where M.E.T.H.O.D. comes in: 

Make a pile, Evaluate, Thoroughly clean, Home your keepers, Out with the discards, Dance and celebrate. This simple, step-by-step process breaks down the clutter into manageable tasks, making it easier to tackle any area of your home.

Start by gathering everything from the space you’re decluttering into one big pile. This might feel a little chaotic at first, but it’s the best way to see exactly what you have. Next, evaluate each item. Do you use it? Do you need it? Do you love it? If not, it might be time to let it go. Thoroughly clean the area before returning only your “keepers” to their rightful homes. And don’t forget to quickly deal with the “out” piles—donate, recycle, or trash them as needed.

The final step? Celebrate your success! Whether it’s a little dance party or a quiet moment of gratitude, take time to acknowledge the hard work you’ve done to create a space that truly serves you. 

The 31-Day Plan

Week 1: The Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it’s also one of the easiest places for clutter to pile up. From expired pantry items to gadgets that rarely see the light of day, it’s time to reclaim your counters and cabinets. A decluttered kitchen not only makes cooking and meal prep more enjoyable but also sets the tone for a calmer, more efficient home. Let’s tackle this space one step at a time and create a kitchen that truly works for you!

Day 1: The Junk Drawer

Start small with the infamous junk drawer. Empty it out completely, toss trash, and sort items into categories: keep, relocate, or discard. Use small containers or dividers to keep it organized.

Day 2: Kitchen Counters

Keep only the essentials you use daily—everything else can find a home in cabinets or drawers.

Day 3: Fridge

Toss expired food and condiments, wipe down shelves, and organize items into categories like dairy, produce, and leftovers. Use bins or clear containers to maximize space. 

Day 4: Freezer

Pull out everything in the freezer and wipe down all of the surfaces. Check for expired items and toss. Group freezer items into categories like meat, frozen vegetables, sweet treats, etc. and place back into the freezer. 

Day 5: Under the Sink

Clear out old cleaning supplies, sponges, and anything else lurking under your sink. Use bins or 

Some of you might be wondering why we didn’t tackle the pantry. For this challenge, I wanted to keep the decluttering tasks to 15-30 minute time increments as an easy starting place. If you’re ready to tackle a bigger project though, check out this How to Organize Your Pantry post for help! 

Week 2: The Living Room

The living room is where life happens—whether it’s family movie nights, entertaining guests, or just relaxing after a long day. But with its role as a central gathering space, it can quickly become a catch-all for clutter. Decluttering this area will help you create a calm, inviting space that feels like a true retreat.

Day 1: Floor, Corners & Baskets

Check the floor, corners and baskets in your living room for stray items. Return them to their proper places or decide if they’re worth keeping.

Day 2: Surfaces (Coffee Tables & Side Tables)

Clear off all surfaces, removing unnecessary items like old magazines, toys, or paperwork. Keep only intentional decor and essentials like coasters or a lamp.

Day 3: Media Storage

Sort through DVDs, games, remotes, and cords. Recycle or donate outdated or unused items and organize what remains into labeled bins or drawers.

Day 4: Drawers & Cabinets

Tackle the storage spaces in your living room. Empty drawers and cabinets, toss or donate forgotten items, and reorganize to make it easy to find what you need.

Day 5: Shelves

Declutter books, decorative items, and keepsakes. Keep only what you truly love and arrange it to create a clean, intentional display.

Week 3: Master Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a restful retreat, not a dumping ground for laundry and clutter. This week, we’ll focus on simplifying and organizing this essential space.

Day 1: Floor & Under the Bed

Check for items piling up on the floor or stashed under the bed. Clear out these areas to create a more serene, uncluttered space. I use these under the bed storage bins to help keep our space organized. 

Day 2: Nightstands

Clear off and declutter your nightstands. Keep only essentials like a lamp, book or other necessary items. Use small trays or organizers for smaller items like jewelry or chargers.

Day 3: Jewelry

Sort through your jewelry. Keep the pieces you truly wear and love, and donate or discard the rest. 

Day 4: Bags and Purses

Check inside bags and remove trash and unwanted items. Donate or sell any you haven’t used in the last year.

Day 5: Dresser Drawers

Sort through one or two dresser drawers. Fold and organize what you wear often, and donate items you haven’t worn in months. If you want to use the KonMari Folding Method, check out the video on this blog post. 

We didn’t tackle the closet. This is a decluttering task that requires more than 30 minutes of your time. If you need help decluttering your clothing, check out our Declutter With Me Video Series. It contains three step-by-step videos to help you declutter your Pantry, Clothing, and Bathroom, as well as a Decluttering Workbook to help.

Week 4: Bathroom

Bathrooms can quickly become cluttered with expired products, excess toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Let’s simplify these spaces for a more functional and relaxing experience.

Day 1: Bathroom Counters

Clear off your counters, keeping only daily essentials like soap, a toothbrush, and skincare products. Store everything else neatly in cabinets or drawers.

Day 2: Medicine Cabinet

Sort through your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of expired medications. Organize remaining items into categories like first aid, daily meds, and cold remedies.

Day 3: Bathroom Cabinets & Drawers

Declutter under-sink cabinets and drawers. Toss empty containers, old makeup, and products you never use. Use small bins or organizers to keep things tidy.

Day 4: Towels & Linens

Go through your towels and bath linens. Keep only what you use regularly and donate extras to a local shelter.

Day 5: Shower & Bath Products

Take stock of your shower or tub area. Toss empty bottles or products you don’t use and neatly organize what remains. Wipe down all shelf surfaces and the bottom of any bottles you are keeping. 

Tips for Success

1. Gather Supplies: Have a box ready for items to donate, a trash bag for discarded items and a laundry basket for items to rehome. 
2. Set a Timer: Keep tasks short and focused by setting a timer for 15–30 minutes.
3. Make it Fun: Listen to your favorite podcast or playlist to make it more enjoyable. 
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your progress each day to keep yourself inspired.
5. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: The goal is to create momentum and build habits, not to achieve perfection.

Why Decluttering Matters

Decluttering isn’t just about having a tidy home; it’s about creating a space that supports your well-being. Clearing out excess can reduce stress, make your home easier to maintain, and help you feel more at peace.

Remember, this challenge is just the beginning. By focusing on one area at a time, you’ll build the skills and habits needed to continue your decluttering journey long after these 31 days are over.

Ready to Tackle More?

If this 30-Day Decluttering Challenge has thrust you into a Decluttering journey and you’d like some help continuing – check out our Decluttering resources in the Making Lemonade Shop.